PGA Tour Champions Eliminates Pension Fund Entirely for 2026

By Staff Writer

October 16, 2026

2 min read

LoopGolf

Key takeaways

PGA Tour Champions has eliminated its players' pension fund entirely for 2026, down from $8 million last year and $10 million before that.
Tour president Miller Brady announced the change at a players meeting, citing a push for the circuit to be financially self-sufficient.
The senior tour is offering $69 million in total prize money this season across 29 events.
The pension program dated back to 1985, when it began with a $250,000 allocation.
New additions like the Portugal Invitational and the 2027 Sony Championship Open in Hawaii carry $3 million purses.

PGA Tour Champions has scrapped its players' pension fund completely for 2026, ending a benefit already cut in half over the past two years. Several veteran players reacted with anger after tour president Miller Brady delivered the news at a players meeting.

How much was the pension fund cut?

The senior circuit's pension pot stood at $10 million before being reduced to $8 million last year. For 2026, it has been eliminated altogether. Billy Andrade, one of the players who spoke out, said bluntly: "It went from $10 million to $8 million and now it's zero." Other veterans voiced similar frustration over the decision and how it was communicated.

Why is the tour making this change?

Brady has framed the cut as part of an effort to make PGA Tour Champions stand on its own financially rather than lean on pension subsidies. The 2026 schedule includes 29 events, with purses generally in the $1.8 million to $2.2 million range outside the majors. Newer stops, including the Portugal Invitational and next year's debut Sony Championship Open in Hawaii, carry $3 million purses, which Brady has cited as evidence the circuit can keep growing prize money over time.

Period	Pension fund
1985 (program launch)	$250,000
Through 2024	$10 million
2025	$8 million
2026	$0

A benefit that survived four decades and one prior cut has now been removed entirely.

Frequently asked questions

How much was the PGA Tour Champions pension fund before it was cut?

It was $10 million before being reduced to $8 million in 2025, then eliminated entirely for 2026.

Why did PGA Tour Champions eliminate the pension fund?

Tour president Miller Brady said the circuit needs to become financially self-sufficient rather than rely on pension subsidies, while continuing to grow prize money over time.